Imo State: Court Orders APC to Hold Fresh Elections

A Federal High Court has ordered for fresh elections by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position of National Organizing Secretary. The position of the National Organizing Secretary which was zoned to Imo State was keenly contested by the two factions in the State.

Mr Osita Izunaso a former lawmaker lost the position to Emma Ibediro who belongs to the faction loyal to Rochas Okorocha the State Governor after some irregularities of delegates list from different state.

Izunaso thereafter took the case to court citing that the party erred by declaring Emma Ibediro as the National Organizing Secretary of the party.

The APC National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said the party has challenged the case in the Court of Appeal.

“The high court has ruled but there is a window for appeal which we have used and hoping it will up turn the ruling,” Mr Nabena said.

The State Publicity Secretary of APC Jones Onwuasanya added that the party still recognizes Emma Ibediro as the National Organizing Secretary.

“We still recognize Emma Ibediro as our National Organizing secretary because the high court that gave the order did not tell him to vacate the office. He is still in the seat for now because he has filed an appeal at the appeal court,” Mr Onwuasanya told PREMIUM TIMES on phone Tuesday evening.

“There is no way the election will be organized without looking into the appeal. He has the right to appeal even up to the Supreme Court so by the time the appeal court gives its judgment we take it up from there.

“We will go to the Supreme Court if the appeal court judgement is not favourable even though we expect it to set aside the ruling of the high court because that judgement that will stand the test of time. Ibediro won the election free and fair, there were no irregularities as the court said.”

The presiding Benjamin Iheka described the impeachment as “invalid and of no legal effect”.

The Chief Press Secretary to Imo State Governor Sam Onwuemedo, when contacted by Premium Times, said, “I cannot react to what I have not seen, when I see it (the judgement) then I will make an official statement.”

The events leading to the event impeachment of Eze Madumere escalated after he declared to run against the wish of Rochas Okorocha who intends to install his Son-in-Law Uche Nwosu as governor in 2019.